Water-Saving Faucet Whose Water Output is Controlled By A Preset Temperature

ABSTRACT

A faucet includes a faucet body, a handle, a temperature detector, a control unit, and an electromagnetic valve. When in use, by co-operation and control of the temperature detector and the electromagnetic valve, water whose temperature has reached the preset value will flow out of the water outlet of the faucet body for use with a user, while water whose temperature does not reach the preset value will not flow out of the water outlet of the faucet body and can flow into the water drain port of the faucet body so that the unused water can be recycled and reused completely without incurring any consumption so as to achieve a water-saving purpose.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a water supply device and, more particularly, to a water faucet.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional faucet in accordance with the prior art shown in FIG. 1 comprises a faucet body 1, a handle 14 mounted on the faucet body 1, a pipe 16 mounted on the faucet body 1 and connected to a shower head (not shown), and a control knob 15 mounted on the faucet body 1. The faucet body 1 has a hot water inlet 11, a cold water inlet 12 and a water outlet 13. The handle 14 is connected with a ball valve (not shown) which is located between the hot water inlet 11, the cold water inlet 12 and the water outlet 13 of the faucet body 1 to open or close a connection between the hot water inlet 11, the cold water inlet 12 and the water outlet 13 of the faucet body 1. The control knob 15 is movable relative to the faucet body 1 to control the water to flow into the water outlet 13 of the faucet body 1 or the pipe 16. Thus, the hot water from the hot water inlet 11 is delivered to the water outlet 13 and is injected outwardly from the water outlet 13 for use with a user. However, when the temperature of the hot water flowing out of the water outlet 13 does not reach a preset value that is suitable for the user's requirement, the user easily feels uncomfortable, so that it is necessary to drain the hot water that does not reach the preset value, thereby greatly wasting the water source.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a faucet, comprising a faucet body, a handle mounted on the faucet body, a temperature detector mounted in the faucet body, a control unit mounted on the faucet body, and an electromagnetic valve mounted on the faucet body. The faucet body has a hot water inlet, a cold water inlet, a water outlet and a water drain port. The hot water inlet of the faucet body has a hot water channel. The cold water inlet of the faucet body has a cold water channel. The water outlet of the faucet body has a water outlet channel. The water drain port of the faucet body is connected to the water outlet channel of the water outlet. The handle is connected with a ball valve which is located between the hot water channel of the hot water inlet, the cold water channel of the cold water inlet and the water outlet channel of the water outlet to open or close a connection between the hot water channel of the hot water inlet, the cold water channel of the cold water inlet and the water outlet channel of the water outlet. The temperature detector is mounted on a side of the hot water inlet of the faucet body and is electrically connected with the control unit. The electromagnetic valve is electrically connected with the control unit.

Thus, when the temperature detector detects that a water temperature in the hot water inlet of the faucet body does not reach a preset value, the electromagnetic valve is operated by the control unit to close the water outlet of the faucet body and to open the water drain port of the faucet body so that water in the water outlet channel of the water outlet flows into the water drain port of the faucet body, and when the temperature detector detects that the water temperature in the hot water inlet of the faucet body has reached the preset value, the electromagnetic valve is operated by the control unit to open the water outlet of the faucet body and to close the water drain port of the faucet body so that the water in the water outlet channel of the water outlet flows into the water outlet of the faucet body.

Preferably, the water drain port of the faucet body is connected with a hot pipe so that the water in the water drain port of the faucet body can flow back into the hot pipe.

Preferably, the water drain port of the faucet body is connected with a guide pipe which is connected with a water tank so that the water from the water drain port of the faucet body can flow through the guide pipe into the water tank.

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a water-saving faucet whose water output is controlled by a preset temperature.

According to the primary objective of the present invention, by co-operation and control of the temperature detector and the electromagnetic valve, the water whose temperature has reached the preset value will flow out of the water outlet of the faucet body for use with the user, while the water whose temperature does not reach the preset value will not flow out of the water outlet of the faucet body and can flow into the water drain port of the faucet body so that the unused water can be recycled and reused completely without incurring any consumption so as to achieve a water-saving purpose.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional faucet in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a faucet in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top cross-sectional view of the faucet as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic side operational view of the faucet as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a schematic operational view of the faucet as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a schematic operational view of the faucet as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a faucet in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side operational view of the faucet as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a faucet in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top cross-sectional view of the faucet as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a faucet in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 2-6, a faucet in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a faucet body 2, a handle 24 mounted on the faucet body 2, a temperature detector 27 mounted in the faucet body 2, a control unit 251 mounted on the faucet body 2, and an electromagnetic valve 26 mounted on the faucet body 2.

The faucet body 2 has a hot water inlet 21, a cold water inlet 22, a water outlet 23 and a water drain port 29. The hot water inlet 21 of the faucet body 2 has a hot water channel 210. The cold water inlet 22 of the faucet body 2 has a cold water channel 220. The water outlet 23 of the faucet body 2 has a water outlet channel 230. The water drain port 29 of the faucet body 2 is connected to the water outlet channel 230 of the water outlet 23.

The handle 24 is connected with a ball valve 28 which is located between the hot water channel 210 of the hot water inlet 21, the cold water channel 220 of the cold water inlet 22 and the water outlet channel 230 of the water outlet 23 to open or close a connection between the hot water channel 210 of the hot water inlet 21, the cold water channel 220 of the cold water inlet 22 and the water outlet channel 230 of the water outlet 23. The ball valve 28 has a hot water connecting hole 281 that is movable to align with and connect the hot water channel 210 of the hot water inlet 21 and a cold water connecting hole 282 that is movable to align with and connect the cold water channel 220 of the cold water inlet 22.

The control unit 251 is mounted in a control box 25 and is operated and controlled by an electric energy. The control box 25 is located beside the hot water inlet 21 of the faucet body 2. The temperature detector 27 is mounted on a side of the hot water inlet 21 of the faucet body 2 and is electrically connected with the control unit 251. The electromagnetic valve 26 is electrically connected with the control unit 251. The electromagnetic valve 26 is located in the hot water channel 210 of the hot water inlet 21 to control the hot water in the hot water channel 210 of the hot water inlet 21 to flow into the water outlet 23 of the faucet body 2 or the water drain port 29 of the faucet body 2.

In practice, when the temperature detector 27 detects that a water temperature in the hot water inlet 21 of the faucet body 2 does not reach a preset value, the electromagnetic valve 26 is operated by the control unit 251 to close the water outlet 23 of the faucet body 2 and to open the water drain port 29 of the faucet body 2 so that water in the water outlet channel 230 of the water outlet 23 flows into the water drain port 29 of the faucet body 2, and when the temperature detector 27 detects that the water temperature in the hot water inlet 21 of the faucet body 2 has reached the preset value, the electromagnetic valve 26 is operated by the control unit 251 to open the water outlet 23 of the faucet body 2 and to close the water drain port 29 of the faucet body 2 so that the water in the water outlet channel 230 of the water outlet 23 flows into the water outlet 23 of the faucet body 2.

In operation, referring to FIGS. 4-6 with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the handle 24 is pivoted on the faucet body 2 as shown in FIG. 4 to rotate the ball valve 28 relative to the faucet body 2. In such a manner, when the ball valve 28 is rotated to the position as shown in FIG. 5, the hot water connecting hole 281 of the ball valve 28 is connected to the hot water channel 210 of the hot water inlet 21, and the cold water connecting hole 282 of the ball valve 28 is isolated from the cold water channel 220 of the cold water inlet 22 so that the hot water from the hot water inlet 21 in turn flows through the hot water channel 210 of the hot water inlet 21 and the hot water connecting hole 281 of the ball valve 28 into the water outlet channel 230 of the water outlet 23.

At this time, when the temperature detector 27 detects that the water temperature in the hot water inlet 21 of the faucet body 2 does not reach the preset value, the electromagnetic valve 26 is operated by the control unit 251 to close the water outlet 23 of the faucet body 2 and to open the water drain port 29 of the faucet body 2 so that the water in the water outlet channel 230 of the water outlet 23 flows into the water drain port 29 of the faucet body 2, and when the temperature detector 27 detects that the water temperature in the hot water inlet 21 of the faucet body 2 has reached the preset value, the electromagnetic valve 26 is operated by the control unit 251 to open the water outlet 23 of the faucet body 2 and to close the water drain port 29 of the faucet body 2 so that the water in the water outlet channel 230 of the water outlet 23 flows into the water outlet 23 of the faucet body 2 for use with a user.

In addition, when the user feels that the water flowing out of the water outlet 23 of the faucet body 2 is too hot, the ball valve 28 is rotated to the position as shown in FIG. 6, where the hot water connecting hole 281 of the ball valve 28 is still connected to the hot water channel 210 of the hot water inlet 21, and the cold water connecting hole 282 of the ball valve 28 is also connected to the cold water channel 220 of the cold water inlet 22 so that the cold water from the cold water inlet 22 in turn flows through the cold water channel 220 of the cold water inlet 22 and the cold water connecting hole 282 of the ball valve 28 into the water outlet channel 230 of the water outlet 23 to mix with the hot water. Thus, the mixed water flowing out of the water outlet 23 of the faucet body 2 has a proper temperature for use with the user.

In conclusion, when the temperature detector 27 detects that the water temperature in the hot water inlet 21 of the faucet body 2 does not reach the preset value, the electromagnetic valve 26 is operated by the control unit 251 to close the water outlet 23 of the faucet body 2 and to open the water drain port 29 of the faucet body 2 so that the water in the water outlet channel 230 of the water outlet 23 flows into the water drain port 29 of the faucet body 2 and then flows back into a hot pipe 290 which is connected to the hot water inlet 21 of the faucet body 2. Thus, the water whose temperature does not reach the preset value will not flow out of the water outlet 23 of the faucet body 2 and can flow through the water drain port 29 of the faucet body 2 so that the water can be recycled and reused without incurring consumption so as to achieve a water-saving purpose.

Accordingly, by co-operation and control of the temperature detector 27 and the electromagnetic valve 26, the water whose temperature has reached the preset value will flow out of the water outlet 23 of the faucet body 2 for use with the user, while the water whose temperature does not reach the preset value will not flow out of the water outlet 23 of the faucet body 2 and can flow into the water drain port 29 of the faucet body 2 so that the unused water can be recycled and reused completely without incurring any consumption so as to achieve a water-saving purpose.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a faucet in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a faucet body 3, a handle 34 mounted on the faucet body 3, a temperature detector 37 mounted in the faucet body 3, a control unit mounted on the faucet body 3, and an electromagnetic valve 36 mounted on the faucet body 3. The faucet body 3 has a hot water inlet 31, a water outlet 33 and a water drain port 39. The hot water inlet 31 of the faucet body 3 has a hot water channel 310. The water outlet 33 of the faucet body 3 has a water outlet channel. The water drain port 39 of the faucet body 3 is connected to the water outlet channel of the water outlet 33. The handle 34 is connected with a ball valve located between the hot water channel 310 of the hot water inlet 31 and the water outlet channel of the water outlet 33 to open and close a connection between the hot water channel 310 of the hot water inlet 31 and the water outlet channel of the water outlet 33. The control unit is mounted in a control box and is operated and controlled by an electric energy. The temperature detector 37 is mounted on a side of the hot water inlet 31 of the faucet body 3 and is electrically connected with the control unit. The electromagnetic valve 36 is electrically connected with the control unit. The electromagnetic valve 36 controls the hot water in the hot water channel 310 of the hot water inlet 31 to flow into the water outlet 33 of the faucet body 3 or the water drain port 39 of the faucet body 3.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a faucet in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a faucet body 4, a handle 44 mounted on the faucet body 4, a temperature detector 47 mounted in the faucet body 4, a control unit mounted on the faucet body 4, a flow control valve 40 mounted on the faucet body 4, and an electromagnetic valve 46 mounted on the faucet body 4.

The faucet body 4 has a hot water inlet 41, a cold water inlet 42, a water outlet 43 and a water drain port 49. The hot water inlet 41 of the faucet body 4 has a hot water channel 410. The cold water inlet 42 of the faucet body 4 has a cold water channel 420. The water outlet 43 of the faucet body 4 has a water outlet channel 430. The water drain port 49 of the faucet body 4 is connected to the water outlet channel 430 of the water outlet 43. The handle 44 is connected with a ball valve 48 located between the hot water channel 410 of the hot water inlet 41, the cold water channel 420 of the cold water inlet 42 and the water outlet channel 430 of the water outlet 43 to open and close a connection between the hot water channel 410 of the hot water inlet 41, the cold water channel 420 of the cold water inlet 42 and the water outlet channel 430 of the water outlet 43. The control unit is mounted in a control box 45 and is operated and controlled by an electric energy. The control box 45 is located beside the hot water inlet 41 of the faucet body 4. The temperature detector 47 is mounted on a side of the hot water inlet 41 of the faucet body 4 and is electrically connected with the control unit. The electromagnetic valve 46 is electrically connected with the control unit. The electromagnetic valve 46 is located in the hot water channel 410 of the hot water inlet 41 to control the hot water in the hot water channel 410 of the hot water inlet 41 to flow into the water outlet 43 of the faucet body 4 or the water drain port 49 of the faucet body 4. The flow control valve 40 is electrically connected with the control unit. The flow control valve 40 is located in the cold water channel 420 of the cold water inlet 42.

In practice, when the temperature of the hot water flowing through the water outlet 43 of the faucet body 4 exceeds a preset value, the flow control valve 40 can regulate the cold water in the cold water channel 420 of the cold water inlet 42 to flow into the water outlet channel 430 of the water outlet 43 to mix the hot water in the water outlet channel 430 of the water outlet 43 so that the mixed water flowing out of the water outlet 43 of the faucet body 4 can reach the optimum preset value.

Referring to FIG. 11, the water drain port 29 of the faucet body 2 is connected with a guide pipe 291 which is connected with a water tank 5 so that the water from the water drain port 29 of the faucet body 2 can flow through the guide pipe 291 into the water tank 5. The water tank 5 has a water outlet nozzle 50.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention. 

1. A faucet, comprising: a faucet body; a handle mounted on the faucet body; a temperature detector mounted in the faucet body; a control unit mounted on the faucet body; and an electromagnetic valve mounted on the faucet body; wherein the faucet body has a hot water inlet, a cold water inlet, a water outlet and a water drain port; the hot water inlet of the faucet body has a hot water channel; the cold water inlet of the faucet body has a cold water channel; the water outlet of the faucet body has a water outlet channel; the water drain port of the faucet body is connected to the water outlet channel of the water outlet; the handle is connected with a ball valve which is located between the hot water channel of the hot water inlet, the cold water channel of the cold water inlet and the water outlet channel of the water outlet to open or close a connection between the hot water channel of the hot water inlet, the cold water channel of the cold water inlet and the water outlet channel of the water outlet; the temperature detector is mounted on a side of the hot water inlet of the faucet body and is electrically connected with the control unit; the electromagnetic valve is electrically connected with the control unit; when the temperature detector detects that a water temperature in the hot water inlet of the faucet body does not reach a preset value, the electromagnetic valve is operated by the control unit to close the water outlet of the faucet body and to open the water drain port of the faucet body so that water in the water outlet channel of the water outlet flows into the water drain port of the faucet body; when the temperature detector detects that the water temperature in the hot water inlet of the faucet body has reached the preset value, the electromagnetic valve is operated by the control unit to open the water outlet of the faucet body and to close the water drain port of the faucet body so that the water in the water outlet channel of the water outlet flows into the water outlet of the faucet body.
 2. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the water drain port of the faucet body is connected with a hot pipe so that the water in the water drain port of the faucet body can flow back into the hot pipe.
 3. The faucet of claim 1, wherein the water drain port of the faucet body is connected with a guide pipe which is connected with a water tank so that the water from the water drain port of the faucet body can flow through the guide pipe into the water tank. 